Key West Catch of the Week - August 18, 2014
August has been a spectacular month for fishing so far, this past week being a particular highlight. With all of the amazing catches we've seen, it was tough to decide which catch would win this week's award. However, there was one noteworthy haul that was caught on our Coolcast Charter. Josh, traveling to Key West from Jacksonville, FL, was able to snag a huge 200 pound Blue Marlin while Key West deep sea fishing. Although this particular species of fish has been reported at much larger sizes than this, a 200 pound catch of a Blue Marlin is truly impressive and more than enough to place Josh's catch as our newest Catch of the Week.
Blue Marlin have always been a species of fish that is highly sought after by anglers. Their meat is exceedingly popular in Hawaii and Japan, the latter of which utilizes the fish in a finer dish known as Sashimi. As such, we're sure Josh was extremely pleased with this exemplary catch. Blue Marlin are also one of the most popular species of fish due to their distinct look, highlighted by their lengthy and sharp bill, similar to that of a swordfish. A female Blue Marlin can actually weigh in at over 4 times the weight of a male Blue Marlin. This species of fish can change colors extremely quickly, though most often oscillates between blue, silver and black.
This type of Blue Marlin is specifically located in the waters of the Atlantic Ocean, though is prevalent within Key West, especially during the summertime. Though they migrate often, they enjoy water temperatures of around 80-87 degrees, which could explain why they are found primarily in Key West and the surrounding areas. The size of a Blue Marlin gives them a huge advantage over other species of fish, as their only predators are that of short-fin Mako and White sharks, as well as the anglers that catch them. As for the fish itself, it feeds on squid, mackerel and a variety of tuna, often using its sharp bill as the weapon of choice when facing its prey.
The recent weather in Key West has proved beneficial to fishing for Blue Marlin, as the warm temperatures and relatively calm conditions are typically the perfect time to catch a Marlin. This is due primarily to its tendency to feed during calm conditions within the waters, generally around reefs and similar areas. However, once you have one of these fish hooked, it can be unbelievably difficult to reel one in, which makes Josh's catch all the more remarkable. It's not just due to their weight that they are difficult to haul in, but also because they are hugely aggressive and will even attempt to bite through the lure, which they are oftentimes successful in doing. If you are now eager to see if you have what it takes to reel in a Blue Marlin, feel free to try your hand at Key West deep sea fishing on our Coolcast Charter.